Journal-box lubricator



Jan. 13, 1931. w. c. ROCKENSTIRE JOURNAL BOX LUBRICATOR Filed June 15,

1928' 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 w n" ESSES @W Jan. 13, 1931. w. c. ROCKENSTIRE 1,739,266

JOURNAL BOX LUBRICATOR Filed June 13, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 61 7 2 m v A 10 I. 8 I

WIT ESSES I fa, W it W such lubrication may I he improvement claimed is hereinafter V In the descriptively to the specific, embodiment railroad vehicle,

r f cent and open'toa hub liner,

Patented Jan. 13, 1931 "WALTER 0.; nooxnnstrmn, ne sman; NEW Yon: T

aounnnnnox nunnronron Application an June 13,

This'invention relates, generally, to the accessorie'sof axles of railroad vehicles, and particularly to means. for lubricating the journal boxes of'the-wheels'thereof. The objectof the-inVentiOn is to provide asimple, eflioient, inexpensive, readily applicable, and automatically operative appliance, whereby be-eifectively conducted.

fully set-forth. iv In the accompanying. drawings Figure 1 is a diagrammaticview, in perspective, illustrating an applicationof the invention .in a railroad vehicle; Fig. 2, an endview, in elevation, and on an enlarged scale,'of ajournal box lubricator embodying the invention; Figs." 3 and 4, vertical longitudinal sections through the same, on the line III-IIIof Fig. 2; :Fig.5,a similar. section, on theline VV of Fig. 2 Versesections, on the lines VI'VI, VII VII, and VIIIVIII, respectively, of Fig. 3. practice'of the invention, referring thereof which'is herein exemplified, a lubricant, reservoir, 1, is supported in any convenient position on a locomotive, or other said reservoir being subject to pressure, controlled by a suitable reducmg valve A lubrica'tor'casing, 2,:is fixed in each of the'journal'boxes, :3, .to whichthe invention is; applied, said lubricator' casings having their. faces at oneof their ends, adj a 4, of any suitable and preferred known construction, fitting 7 against the hub, 5,0f a wheel of the vehicle. a ,The hub, liner does not, inand of itself, form part'oof lthe .presentinvention, and is not, therefore, hereinatdength set forth. Each .lubricator casing is connected by a. flexible supply conduit, 60;, with aQmfain lubricant supply. line, 6,.leading from the. lubricant r er oi when a i A sleeve, 7, is fitted in each of thelubricator casings, 2, its end'further from the hub liner having a central opening,

able plug, 7c, and a piston or plunger, 8, is

fitted-in the sleeve, said plunger protruding through the end of the sleeve adjoiningthe the plunger.

; and, Figs. 6, 7, and 8, transplunger to the l, and'controlled .a cck-;,.or. pressureofthe adj acent;wheel;hub,.5, upon it,-

closedby a detachsages and chambers is cutoff, the lubricant trapped thereinis delivered therefrom 'to-th'e'. surfaces to-belubricatedg The lateral oscillations, when the vehicleis'operated'over track 9 192s. Serial no. 284,9sa'f hub liner. Chambers and. passages, hereinafter described,-are formed 'in'the sleeve and A central passage, 8a-, extends through: the plunger, 8, saidpassage communicating, through the "plug, 70, of the sleeve, with one of the flexible supply con 7 duits, 6a; A transverse passage, 85, is formed in the plunger, said passage being adapted, in the movement of. the plunger, to establish communication between a space or chamber,

7d,"ini-thefsleeve, 7 providedbya reduction in. itsdiameter,*-anda passage,r7m,fleading into a port,-2e, inthe cas1ng,:which is continu ously opento p I other chamber, :7 f, is formed. in:.ithe sleeve, -fi5 the face-0f the hub liner. .Ah- I a said chamber communicatingwith thelchaniber, 7d, beforespecified, by -Ia port, 7g,"con trolled by a check. valve,-*9'. The checkivalve is normallytmain-tained on its seat by aspring,

9a; *The plunger,"8, is recessed, adjoiningits =7 transverse passage, 87;, to provide-a segmental chambe1', 8r,'on the plunger, which chamber communicates, through a port, 7n, with'the chamber, 7 d,-before specified. Theplunger, 8, is also reduced in diameter, to provide an annular. chamber, 8d,. which" communicates with a chamber;.=7k, int-he sleeve, at the end of the :sleeve furtherifrom the hub linen. I

In order to preventlthelplunger from turning in the casing and therebyblocking any 39 ports, a key or pin, 10, islfixedi in the sleeve, said pin'fitting in a' corresponding slot .in .the plunger. ;t :t 4

In-the operation of a journal box lubricator embodying the invention, the plunger, 8, nor- 35 mally occupies the position in .the T sleeve, 7, which is. shown in Fig. gggin which.position, lubricant .is supplied to the central passage, 8a,; of the plunger, and the" communicating passa es and ports,.frornv the flexible conduit, 90 6a. 1 Whemrby inward movement of. the position shown in'Fig. 41,135 the resultant on'the lateral displacementof the tral passage, 8a, to the communicating pas-.

that is principally tangential, may not be sufficiently rapid to effect the entire amount of lubrication necessary for the journal bearing surfaces, but the positive lubrication provided for, past the check valve, 9, will be of advantage in ensuring the access of lubricant to the journal bearing surfaces, when the waste in the lubricant cellar Sislnot in perfect working condition.

except'compartment'l'fidn the sleeve, 7, is

in communicationwith the central passage, 8a, but when therplunger is moved inwardly to-the position shown in Fig. 4, by'the .lateralmovementiof the wheel hub, lubricant is cut ofiffrom-the chamber, 7d,by breaking ,7 communication between the ports, 80 and 72', thereto; and to the chamber, 7%, by breaking communication between the ports, 88 and 7.9.. Lubricant is. delivered to the hub liner from the ichamber,-7cl,through the port, 7%, and passages,.8? 7m, and'2e'z;: to the pedestal faces, from the chamber 8d, through the passage,;7 p', and pipes 7:?) ;';and to the mainbearing from .cllamber,"?80,- through port, 7a, chamber, 7f, and pipe 7a. Variations in the relative volumes f the'pipes and passages will vary the relative amounts of lubricant distributed to the journal bearing, when the parts are in the relation shown in' Figr fi. By increasing-pressure onthe lubricant sufiicient to'unseat thencheck valve, 9, lubricant 7 passes from the chamber, 701, through the port,

main bearing.

7 g, chamber 7 f,'and pipe, 7a, to the The invention nine, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

.1. The combinatlon of a supply reservoir for lubricant under pressure; ajournal box of a railroad vehicle; a lubricator casing, connected to the journal box; a sleeve, fitting int'he casing an'dcontainin a plurality of lubricant chambers; and a p unger, fitted in the" casing and subjectto pressure from a whcel'hub of the-vehicle, saidplunger communi'cating with the supply reservoir and controlling communication between it and the chambers of the sleeve, and delivery of lubricant from the chambers to wearing surfaces of the journal box.

2. The combination of a supply reservoir f for lubricant under pressure; a journal box ot-a railroad vehicle; a lu bricator casing, -connected to the journalbox; a sleeve, fitted It will be seen thatfthe lubricator' casingg 2, encloses three chambers or -compartmentsfor the reception of lubricant supplied from,

a normally spring in the casing and-containing a plurality of lubricant chambers and ports; and a plunger, fitted in the casing and subject to pressure from a Wheel hub of the vehicle, said plunger communicating with the supply reservoir, and. controlling ports in the casing, through which lubricant passes from the chambers of the sleeve to wearingsurfaces of the journal box. j

p 3. lhe combination of a lubricator casing for a railr-oa l'vehicle ,a sleeve, fitting therein, andembodying a plurality of chambers and ports, one of said chambers being adapted to be supplied from-areservoir under pressure; seated check valve con-' trolling communication between said chamber and another chamber; and aplunger,-operable in the casing'by pressure from a wheel hub ofthe vehicle, foreffecting delivery of lubricant from-the chambers of thesleeveto surfaces of an axle box by controlling-ports inathe sleeve. r

4:...111 a railroad vehicle,,-the combination of as'o'urce of supply of lubricant; a plurality of surfaces to be lubricated; a vehicle wheel 'llllbi; a valve zchest .an'dvalve, having a ,plurality or" passageways lea-ding :to said sur faces, said valve when reciprocated being adapted to cover. and uncover the passageways in the chest; a main passageway insai valvefor conveying lubricant to said plurality of passageways; ,a flexible-connection between said main passageway and the source of lubricantsu'pply, said valve being in contact with the facefofthe Wheel hub and adapted. to be moved thereby in one direction, and automaticallyreturnable, for covering and uncovering the passageway in said chest. 5. In a railroad vehicle, the combination'of a source of supply of lubricant; under pres? sure; a surface .to be lubricatedya passageway leading from thesource of supplytothe surface'ito be lubricated; a wheel hub ;".and;a valve member controlling the, passage of 111- bricant through saidgpassageway, in contact with the hub, and adapted to be moved in one .direction to one control 'position zby the pressure of the lubricant'iand in the opposite direction ;.toxanother control position,"by lateral movementof'the'hub. f

'- 6. In a railroad-vehicle, the'combinaition wheel hub the hub and box being relatively movable inopposite; directions 'longitudithrough saidlpassageway, in contact the hub and adapted to be moved during said relative movements thereof from one control position to another, aportionof said passage- :way passing through the valve member.

7.. In a railroad vehivle, the combination of a pair of pedestal jaws; an axle box therein; an axle journal in the axle box; a wheel hub, the hub and box being relatively movable in opposite directions longitudinally of the journal; a chamber for a supply of lubri cant; a passageway leading from the chamber to a pedestal jaw face ofthe axle box; and a valve member for controlling the passage of lubricant through said passageway in contact with the hub and adapted tobe moved during said relative movements thereof, from one control position to another, a portion of said passageway passing through the valve member.

8. In a railroad vehcile, the combination of a pair of pedestal jaws; an axle box therein; an axle journal in the axle'box; a wheel hub, the hub and box being relatively movable in opposite directions, longitudinally of the journal; a chamber for a supply oflubricant; a passageway leading from the chamber to a pedestal jaw face of the journal box; a passageway leading from the chamber to the journal; and a valve member for controlling the passage of lubricant through 7 said passageways in contact with the hub member.

valve member.

lubricant chamber;

and adaptedto be moved during said relalJlVQ movements thereof from one control position to another, a portion of each of said passageways passing through the valve 1 .9. In a railroad Vehicle, the combination of'a source of supply of lubricant under pressure; an axle box; a journaltherein; a wheel hub a member having a bore and a. a passageway leadingfrom the source of lubricant supply tothe bore and the chamber; a passageway leading lubricant and in of a source of supply of lubricant under pressure; a surface to be lubricated; a passageway leading from said source of lubricant supply; a passageway leading to said surface to be lubricated and having an inlet; a spring pressed valve controlling the inlet; a wheel hub; and a valve member through which a-portion of said first passageway passes, said valve member engaging the hub for movement thereby in one direction, and being returnable in the opposite direction for opening communication between said passageways through the valve controlled inlet. r V.

12. In a railroad vehicle, the combination of a source of supply of lubricant under pressure; a surface to be lubricated; a passageway leading from the source of supply to the surface to belubricated; a and a valve member of the piston type controlling the passage Oflubricant through.

in contact with the hub,

said passageway, and adapted to be moved in one direction to one control position by the pressure of the the opposite direction to another control position, by lateral movement of the hub. 1 v

WVALTER C. ROOKENSTIREQ from the chamber to the journal; and a valve member reciprocable in the bore for control? ling the passage of lubricant through the passageways, in contact with the hub and adapted to be moved thereby in one direction to one control position, and in the opposite direction to another control position by presbore, a portion of each of said passageways passing through the- 10. In a railroad vehicle, the combination of a source of supply of lubricant under pressure; a surface to belubricated; a passageway leading from saidsource. of lubri cant supply; surface to'be lets for receiving lubricant from said first passageway; a spring pressed valve controla passageway leading to'said lubricatedand having two in-' ling one of the inlets; a wheel hub; and a said first passageway passes, said valve member engaging the hub formovement thereb in one direction and being returnable inthe opposite direction foropening communicationbetween said passageways through the valve controlled inlet.

valve member through which a portion of 7 p 11. In a railroad vehicle, the combination 

